Difference between revisions of "Digital Voice Recorders Quick Guide"

Revision as of 16:14, 8 February 2013 (view source) Galloa (Talk | contribs) (→‎Olympus WS100 RDV) ← Older edit		Revision as of 16:15, 8 February 2013 (view source) Galloa (Talk | contribs) (→‎Olympus WS100 RDV) Newer edit →
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	Basic Menu Operations:<br>		Basic Menu Operations:<br>
	Press and hold menu for 1 second or longer while recorder is stopped.		Press and hold menu for 1 second or longer while recorder is stopped.
−	Press FF or REW to browse menu options, and PLAY to select an option or to close the menu hit the STOP button at any point.	+	Press FF or REW to browse menu options, and PLAY to select an option or to close the menu hit the STOP button at any point. <p>
	RECORDING:		RECORDING:
	# Press the FOLDER button to choose folder		# Press the FOLDER button to choose folder
	# Press the REC button to start recording		# Press the REC button to start recording
−	# Press STOP button to stop recording	+	# Press STOP button to stop recording <p>
	PLAYBACK:		PLAYBACK:
	# Press the FOLDER button to choose folder		# Press the FOLDER button to choose folder
Line 33:		Line 33:
	# Press PLAY button to start playback		# Press PLAY button to start playback
	# Press VOL (+) or VOL (-) button to select proper volume (Between 1-30)		# Press VOL (+) or VOL (-) button to select proper volume (Between 1-30)
−	<b>Helpful Tip:</b> To change the playback speed press PLAY to toggle between regular, slow, and fast.	+	<b>Helpful Tip:</b> To change the playback speed press PLAY to toggle between regular, slow, and fast.<p>
	ERASING FILES:		ERASING FILES:
	# To erase an individual file press the FOLDER button to choose a folder		# To erase an individual file press the FOLDER button to choose a folder
	# Press the FF or REW button to choose the file you wnt to erase		# Press the FF or REW button to choose the file you wnt to erase
	# Press the ERASE button for less than 3 seconds ‘		# Press the ERASE button for less than 3 seconds ‘
−	# Press the ERASE button again (“DONE” blinks for two seconds and the deletion will be complete)	+	# Press the ERASE button again (“DONE” blinks for two seconds and the deletion will be complete)<p>
	<B>TIPS:</B><BR>		<B>TIPS:</B><BR>
	*When using headphones while recoding or to listen to a recoding, the volume can be adjusted by pressing VOL (- +)		*When using headphones while recoding or to listen to a recoding, the volume can be adjusted by pressing VOL (- +)

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Revision as of 16:15, 8 February 2013

Great for recording conversations and lectures. No proficiency required!

OLYMPUS WS100 RDV (MONO, WMA files) - recommended for PC users
OLYMPUS DS-30 RDO (STEREO, WMA files) - recommended for PC users
SONY RDS (STEREO, MP3 files) - recommended for Mac users

SUGGESTED RECORDING CHECKLIST FOR ALL DEVICES:

• Make a test recording prior to your scheduled interview to make sure you are comfortable using the recorder. Start with fresh batteries.
• Select a controlled and quiet recording location. Avoid noisy public locations (like restaurants, or areas near a road). If possible, eliminate background noises (turn off stereos, TV’s, fans, air circulation vents). A room with carpeting and furniture will typically sound better than one with hard floors (too much echo).
• Check record levels. Improve the quality of the recording by adjusting the mic placement either closer, or further away from the sound source. Wear headphones to monitor volume levels as well watch the volume meters on the recorder. Ideal recordings will have clearly audible audio, while not being too loud so that it is distorted (going into "the red" on the audio recorder meters). What you hear is what you get. Shock mounts and stands are great to reduce mic handling noise.
• Confirm you are recording. Make sure the record light comes on, that the clock numbers are counting and audio levels are moving up and down.
• Tag the recording. Start each recording by stating the date, time, location, your name, and the name of your interviewee for proper archiving and cataloging of this work.

STEPS FOR SAVING FILES:

• Copy files from the audio recorder to a computer as you would from a USB drive. Protect the privacy of your recordings by deleting all files on the recorder before returning equipment to Media Loan.
• Backup the original audio files from the recorder to your program network drive. DO NOT USE SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN FILE NAMES (‘!#$*&%).
• When working with files in an audio editing program like Audacity, create a copy of the originals to be able to revert back if necessary.

CONNECTING RECORDERS TO A PC/MAC:

• Before connecting one of the PC compatible devices, make sure power switch is OFF and the display is off.
• Then plug it into an open USB port. Computers will recognize the recorder as a removable disk drive.
• Files are saved onto the recorder in WMA format on Olympus recorders (a program which can read WMA files is required) and in lettered folders corresponding to the folder in which you recorded.
• When connected the recorder display will read “PC” When transferring data, the display will read “BUSY”. DO NOT disconnect the recorder when either message is displayed on the screen.
• BEFORE DETACHING FROM COMPUTER - Remove the detachable device (Eject in Mac OS) and make sure the display is turned off.

Olympus WS100 RDV

Basic Menu Operations:
Press and hold menu for 1 second or longer while recorder is stopped.

Press FF or REW to browse menu options, and PLAY to select an option or to close the menu hit the STOP button at any point.

RECORDING:

1. Press the FOLDER button to choose folder
2. Press the REC button to start recording
3. Press STOP button to stop recording

PLAYBACK:

1. Press the FOLDER button to choose folder
2. Press the FF or REW to choose the file you want to play
3. Press PLAY button to start playback
4. Press VOL (+) or VOL (-) button to select proper volume (Between 1-30)

Helpful Tip: To change the playback speed press PLAY to toggle between regular, slow, and fast.

ERASING FILES:

1. To erase an individual file press the FOLDER button to choose a folder
2. Press the FF or REW button to choose the file you wnt to erase
3. Press the ERASE button for less than 3 seconds ‘
4. Press the ERASE button again (“DONE” blinks for two seconds and the deletion will be complete)

TIPS:

• When using headphones while recoding or to listen to a recoding, the volume can be adjusted by pressing VOL (- +)

To Pause press the REC button during recording; PAUSE will appear on the display and the recoding lamp flashes

• If a external microphone is desired, connect to headphone jack. Recommended external mics for this device are omnidirectional sound grabber, lavalier (MOT/MOE)

POSSIBLE ISSUES:

• If full appears on the screen the device is out of memory. Erase unwanted files to make more room for new recordings.
• If recorder is stopped for 5 minutes, it will go on standby and the display will shut off. Recorder will also stop if left un-paused for 60 seconds. To exit standby mode press any button.